Liverpool FC prepared to sell Lucas

Lucas Leiva of Liverpool waves to the fans at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 16, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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Liverpool are willing to listen to offers for long-serving midfielder Lucas Leiva.

The Brazil international’s future is shrouded in doubt after he was omitted from the squad for Sunday’s Premier League win at Stoke City.

Lucas was left crestfallen by the snub and is now considering his options with a possible move to Italy back on the agenda.

The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract and is valued by the Reds at around £8million.

Inter Milan wanted Lucas back in January and the player was keen on making the switch to the San Siro. However, at the time Lucas had re-established himself in the Liverpool side and Rodgers was adamant he wasn’t for sale.

That is no longer the case with the Reds prepared to sell if Lucas pushes for a transfer and the right offer arrives prior to the transfer deadline on September 1.

If he decides to stay put and fight for a place Lucas will be given the opportunity to force his way back into Rodgers’ plans. It remains to be seen whether Inter boss Roberto Mancini will re-ignite his interest.

The manager opted to play captain Jordan Henderson as Liverpool’s deepest lying midfielder against Stoke with James Milner and Philippe Coutinho operating ahead of him.

Rodgers then brought on Emre Can in the second half with the young German providing protection for the back four, enabling Henderson to push further forward.

Can, who was short of match fitness following his late return for pre-season due to his international commitments, has been earmarked to flourish in that role this season and that means Lucas’ game time could be limited.

Joe Allen can also play there but the Wales international is facing up to a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Unlike Lazar Markovic and Mamadou Sakho, who also didn’t make Brendan Rodgers’ matchday 18, Lucas didn’t travel to the Britannia Stadium and remained on Merseyside.

Lucas was back at Melwood on Monday to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Welsh outfit TNS alongside the likes of Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, Markovic, Emre Can, Alberto Moreno, Sakho and Divock Origi.

This is Lucas’ ninth season at Anfield and he has made 275 appearances since his arrival from Gremio for £5million in the summer of 2007.